Around the Boundary - Julian Forster
Julian Forster is a lover of cricket – and almost every other sport too!
It is always a pleasure to bump into Julian Forster, which I have done at a range of local clubs where he has been willingly helping out, in indoor league games and as a colleague in school some time ago – and it is only when one speaks for a while to this softly-spoken man of Enniskillen, in Ireland, that you discover, as I did, that he has really been involved in a range of sports, which he has played purely for the love of being involved, rather than looking for success or trophies.
Loved his rugby until injury intervened
Julian played rugby from the time he was in school at Portora Royal School, in his hometown which had also provided, long before his time, the early education for famous people like writers Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett.
“I played at hooker and went on to occupy the same front-row position when I studied at Queen’s University, Belfast, alongside Trevor Ringland, who went on to play for Ireland and the British Lions, plus another Irish international in Phillip Rainey, and in my fresher year we went on to win Section 8 of the Ulster League. That year, I was also a committee member when Queen’s won the Senior League for the last time.
“I went on to play for Enniskillen before I moved to South Africa for over three years and played for Pretoria Harlequins, which was a great experience – and then I moved to England and played for the first XV at Trowbridge, in Wiltshire, and Corby (Northants) but sadly I had to retire when I was 28 because of two herniated discs in my neck.”
From cricket in South Africa to the indoor game in Pembrokeshire!
Julian also played cricket during his time in South Africa, mainly as a batsman in the local midweek league for the South African Bureau of Standards, where he worked as a food analyst – and at the other end of the cricketing spectrum he had one season of indoor cricket in the Pembrokeshire League with the Pembrokeshire Seniors B team.
“I really enjoyed the camaraderie of this latest innovation in cricket and although I found it more difficult batting with the way the ball swings indoors it was something to look forward to in the winter months – but sadly we were only allowed to field one team in the last campaign and so I missed out on the chance to improve my technique with bat and ball!”
Loves running and family enjoys ‘Park Runs’
During his time in school Julian found another sport he could enjoy – and that was athletics, where he competed quite a lot in cross country – and he has also run in marathons in Belfast, Llanelli and Cardiff, as well as taking part on one occasion in the 26+ miles component of the Long Course Weekend in Tenby.
“I still run about 5K on a regular basis around the field we have near our home and my wife Elizabeth and I take part in the Park Runs around The Racecourse in Haverfordwest on Saturday mornings – and encourage our daughters Eleanor and Isabel to join us whenever they are back with us at home.”
Table tennis, squash, badminton – and even walking football
Not content with that little lot, Julian also plays table tennis at St Ishmaels Sports Club alongside former cricketing teammates in Kevin Bowen and Stuart Carpenter.
“I started out playing in the school team and one year I played for the school team in the semi-final of the Under 16 Ulster Schools Cup- and played wherever I’ve been living since. I also played tennis in doubles competitions at the Haverfordwest club, squash whenever anyone I know fancies a game, or badminton on the same basis because I have the equipment for them all ready and waiting. Another new sport for me of late has been Walking Football in Haverfordwest, which I have enjoyed in the sports hall or on the beach – and I also enjoy training at the Saw Gymnasium in Haverfordwest, where the young instructors are superb, and I go on a regular basis because it helps keep me relatively fit now that I am classed as an OAP,” admits Julian with a typical chuckle!
I have also played golf and hockey, but I must admit, to a low standard!
Painful memories of longboat rowing
Another sport that Julian dabbled in left him with painful memories as he decided to try his luck at longboat rowing at Neyland Yacht Club.
“I had no idea it was so physically taxing but I stuck at it as I represented Neyland in rowing regattas as far afield as Milford Haven, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron - and the toughest of all was the ‘Three Forts’ Race’ at Dale.
“It sounded like a nice little row as I joined some very experienced rowers but it was a course set over eight miles and by the time we had finished I had blisters aplenty - but one especial beauty that actually covered the entire palm of my hand, with the skin nicely removed!
“Now that’s what I call a tough sport - and my team-mates that day were mainly ladies!”
‘Minky’ guides Julian back to cricket
Back on the Pembrokeshire Cricket front, Julian’s return to action came about almost by accident as he called into the Haven Fish Café with his work and started talking to owner Ian Milsom - and when the conversation turned to cricket he learned that ‘Minky’ played for Neyland 2nds.
“I told him I had played in my younger days and he invited me along - and I was made very welcome and was soon helping out in the third team, mainly just fielding but I did manage 23 not out on one occasion to show I could bat a bit. We won division six of the league in 2016
“ I then moved to St Ishmaels for the best part of four years, enjoying every minute with some real characters, led by second team captain Robbie Thomas. We won division four of the league in 2019 and got to the final of the Alec Colley Cup the year after.
I played mainly for their second team but I did get one game for the firsts in the league - and got 1 not out and held a catch.
“I was pleased to win league winners’ medals in divisions four and six, and Robbie made sure I was chosen when Tish reached the Alec Colley Cup Final at Pembroke, which was a marvellous day out.
Now at Llechryd, with all matches away at the moment
I went to Haverfordwest after Tish but came up against their Youth policy, same as I did against Tish, and so advertised myself on the Pembrokeshire Seniors WhatsApp group and this was taken up by Llechryd’s Peter Betteley, and started to play on permit for them in their third team.
“In summer 2023 I signed for them although I still haven’t been to Llechryd cricket with them because we are playing all our games away, since the pitch is being renovated - but I am enjoying it, as I always have, and will play for as long as they need me.”
And that sentence sums up Julian Forster’s attitude to cricket in particular and sport in general because he just enjoys being involved - and it is really refreshing to chat to him around the boundary because it is a pity there aren’t more like him around the county, who are ready to help anywhere and love the involvement and satisfaction of just taking part that it brings!